a carefully researched scoop on news not usually available on any other media channel or in many cases noted before it appears in conventional media from an insiders perspective. The views are that of the author and are not guided by any other person or organization. A truly unique and independent opinion of SRI LANKA TODAY

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

What is all the kafuffle about the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines?

The other day
the house of the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines was broken into, whilst he was
away on vacation in Nuwera Eliya, and the house was closed up. Apparently
according to the statement he had given the police, a duffle bag with Rs4M in
foreign currency notes was taken along with a Rolex which he had received as a
gift and valued at Rs4.5M.

There is a huge
hue and cry about him having all this money and if it was legal or not as one
is only allowed to have up to $2,000 equivalent in foreign currency at any time
and any more if found would incur a fine of three times the amount in addition
to the forfeiture of the money. I would like to know how many times this law
has prosecuted and fined 300% of the loot!!

I for one who
would love to have even $2,000 with me as a protection against the drop in the
value of the rupee, and do not mind if people hold onto some foreign currency
as we get $6B sent every year from people who work overseas and bring it back
or remit it through the banking or other system. Many of the workers not
trusting the system bring cash and change them as and when they need the money,
as the banking system seems to them to give them a rotten rate or charge them
exorbitant fees.

In any case the
sum in question is not an extraordinary amount for the Chairman who spends a
lot on travel and entertainment. I understand that the Chairman is entitled to
FREE first class travel in any airline he flies in, which is a great perk in
itself, and I am sure if his office worked efficiently, would be able to get
free hotel nights at all the hotels he stays in as well, saving the airline and
the country a huge amount of money. I dare say the latter does not happen as he
does not appear to be an industrious person saving the country money, being a
political appointee, the brother of the first lady, Madam Shiranthie.

As for the
priceless Rolex, it is nice to have friends who give these things and I hope
not for favors granted. He was I understand a tea planter in his past life and
so this must be quite a change for him. I only hope he is able to put the
President on a leash and not abuse the privilege of using the planes for his
trips, as they seem to cost about Rs1B a year. This is a sum the country cannot
afford bearing in mind the loss of about Rs10B a year. So if you want to be
patriotic ban the President from flying SLA planes!!